PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Phoenix firefighters rescued four hikers over Mother’s Day weekend as triple-digit heat moved into the Valley, prompting officials to remind residents that several popular trails are closed during the hottest part of the day.
Crews rescued hikers Saturday on Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Trail, including one person who was airlifted by helicopter, officials said. On Sunday, crews responded to a separate rescue on Quartz Ridge Trailhead, which is not included in the city’s heat-related closures.
The city’s annual heat closures began Sunday and have been extended into Tuesday because of the ongoing extreme temperatures, Phoenix Fire officials said. Our First Alert Weather Days continue through Tuesday.
Several trails will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday:
- Camelback Mountain Preserve: Echo Canyon and Cholla trails
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve: Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and associated trails
- South Mountain Park and Preserve: Holbert Trail, Mormon Trail, Hau’pal Loop Trail and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead
“Pay attention to the closures. Try to respect it. It’s really to keep you safe. It’s also to keep first responders and firefighters safe,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Mike Johnson said.
Capt. Johnson said the closures target some of Phoenix’s busiest and most difficult trails, and he urged hikers to choose cooler hours — before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. — and check the forecast before heading out.
Phoenix Fire officials also reminded residents not to underestimate the sun during the first sustained heat stretches of the season, advising people to drink more water than they think they need and make safety-conscious choices.
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